Mining machine



June 30, 1925.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1921 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. P; HoLwiEs MINING MACHINE June so, 1925.

Filed July 1 1921 Patented June 31), 19.25,

UNETED STATES PATENT orries.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREIVIONTINEW HAIVIPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING IVIACHINE. I

I Application filed July 18, 1921, Serial No. 485,691.

To all whomxc't may concern:

Be it known that I, MornusP. HoLMns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to mining machines.

i It has for its object to provide an im proved take-up mechanism for such a machine. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved take-up mechanism especially adapted to cooperate with a continuous fie ole feeding member and to be readily adjusted in such a manner as to enable the machine tobe angled as desired during its operation in a room or the like. A more specific object of my invention is to provide'such an improved take-up mechanism which is especially adapted to be apclied to standard machines of the type utilizing a continuous flexible feeding member, without change in the machine or substantial additional expense.

For purposes of. illustration 1 have shown in the accompanying drawings one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 1s a side elevation of the same, parts being broken away to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine in its different positions during sumping and cutting at the face. I

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine comprising a frame I 1 and having a cutter bar 2 projecting therefrom and carrying a usual cutter chain 3, the cutter chain-being driven by a mining machine motor 1 through suitable mechanism not shown and the mining machine being adapted to be propelled on its own bottom relative to the mine bottom and the flexible feeding member 5, by means of a reversible rotating feed operating member 6, herein carried on a vertical axis at the rear of the machine frame and rotated through suitable motor driven feeding mech anism not shown, the flexible feeding mem her 5 preferably being suitably reeved about -the member 6 and a cooperating idler "7 herein located on a vertical axis in rear of the feed operating member 6.

In my improved construction a take-up member, generally indicated at 8 and of angle form having arms 9 and 10 disposed at an obtuse angle to one anotherand in the same plane, is pivoted on a pivot pin 11 carried by a bracket 12 suitably attached to the side of the machine frame. As shown, the pivot 11 is slightly inclined to the left in Fig. 2 in order that the member 8 may be disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the free end of its arm 9 adjacent the bot tom at the front end of the machine, and the free end of its arm 10 adjacent the plane of the feed operating member at the rear end of the machine frame. Herein it will also be noted that guiding means for the flexible feeding member in, the form of idlers 13 and 14; are carried on the extremities of the arms 9 and 10,, respectively, and that the ends ofthe arms 9 and 10 are respectively forked as at 15 and 16 to receive the idlcrs which are suitably rotatably mounted in the forks as on bolts 17 and 18. Attention is also directed to the fact that the member 8 is provided with parallel upper and lower surfaces connected by a relatively perpendicular web 19 which extends along the arm 9, around the pivot 11, and along the arm 10. It will also be noted that a very rugged pivoted construction is provided, including a substantial pin receiving lug 20 on the bracket 12 received between corresponding substantial pin receiving portions 21, 22 on the member 8. Here attention is also directed to the fact that the web tion by suitable means, as, for instance, a set screw 26 threaded in the arm and communicatmg with the slot.

- In the operation of my improved con struction it will be understood that during sumping the right hand end of the flexible feed ng member 5 is connected tothe right hand r1b as to a ack27 and that the flexible parts thus connected and the machine disposed in rear of the face with the tip of its bar adjacent the'latter, it will be evident that upon rotation of the feed operating member 6 in the proper directon andsimultaneous operation of the cutter chain, the

machine will move toward the face at the angle illustrated in Fig. 3 until it has completed its sumpingcut and occupies the position shown at the right hand side of F ig;

3. "Vhen this out has been completed, the jack 28 is removed and the then free encl of the flexible feeding member is connected at the left hand rib as to the same or another jack 29, the machine then being ready tobe swung or straightened into position for its transverse cut. This is accomplished by siniplv reversing the rotation of the feed operating member and releasing the set screw 26, whereupon it will beevideiit that the back end of the inachine will then be pulled backward toward the right'ribabout a pivot at the frontend in such a'manner as to st'aighten the machine in the cut, the

member 8 beingsimultaneously moved aboutits-p-ivot in such a manner as to swing the arm 10 further to the left and the arm 9 further to the right relative to the machine frame until the parts reach the position indicated at the centerof Fig. 8, when, by simply again setting the set screw 26, the machine will bemoved across the face from the position shown at the right hand side of Fig. 3 in the relation to the face and of the parts to one another shown in the center dotted line position of Fig, 3. Obviously, if an obstruction is encountered during crossing the face, the machine may be angled by simply reversing the feed of the feed operating member at any time to swing the rear end of the machine and provide the necessary slack to permit adjustment of the member 8 into such a position as to give the" desired angle of th machine. Similarly when the machine has completed its transverse cut, it may be made to finish its out by angling themachine and adjusting the menu-- ber 8 into the position shown at the left of Fig. 3 and then connecting the free end of the flexible feeding member to a point. in rear of the machine as indicated. 7

lVhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the in vention may be modified and embodied in various otheroforms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. V

That I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting and having projecting cutting mecha nism, and feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member and a flexible feeding mem: ber providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame and an adjustable takeup member disposed at an angle to the horizontal and presenting guiding means at theopposite ends of said frame with which said flexible feeding member cooperates, one of said guiding means and said feed operating member being so dis posed as to be out by horizontal planes substantially'above the plane of said cutting mechanism and the other of said guiding means being cut by horizontal planes cut ting said cutting mechanism.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame including a feedoperating member and a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith' and providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and a takeup member presenting guiding means at the opposite ends of said frame and engaging onlythat portion of the flexible feeding member which lies in advance of the feed operating member in terms of direction of machine travel during cutting across a face. 4. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a minebottom during cutting,

feeding and guiding mechanism therefor includmg a feed operatlng member and a flee ible feeding member engagable thereby and providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite end 'of'said frame, and takeup means includ ing a pivoted element having portions at opposite sides of its pivot making a material angle with each other and disposed longitudinally of and adjustable upon saidframe and engaging said flexible feeding member at spaced points whollyto one side of said feed operating member. s

5. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member and a flexible feeding member providing port-ions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the. opposite ends of said frame, takeup means including a'pivoted element having portions at opposite sides of its pivot making a material angle With each other and disposed longitudinally of and adjustable upon said frame and engaging said flexible feeding member wholly at one side of said feed operating member, and means vfor holding said takeup member in different positions of adjustment.

6. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member and a flexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and a takeup member including a pivoted element having portions at opposite sides of its pivot making a material angle with each other and disposed longitudinally of and adjustable upon said frame and engaging said flexible feeding member, said'takeup member having idlers on its opposite ends engaging said flexible feeding member at spaced points both of Which lie in a portion of said member to one side of said feed operating member.

7. In a mining machine, a machine'frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor in cluding a feed operating member and a flexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and a takeup member disposed longitudinally of said frame andengaging said flexible feeding member, said takeup member being pivoted to said frame substantially mid way between its ends and the ends of the frame. i

8. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom during cutting, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member and a flexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and an angulartalreup member disposed longitudinally of said frame and engaging said flexible feeding member, said angular takeup member being pivoted to said frame substantiallymidway between its ends and the ends of the frame.

9. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting,

cutting mechanism carried thereby, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on a vertical axis and in horizontal planes substantially above the plane of said cutting mechanism and a flexible feeding member provid-,

ing portions extending in opposite directions.

from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and an adjustable takeup member pivoted on the advance side of said frame and disposed at an angle to the horizontal whereby its opposite ends ma be v.cut by. horizontal planes respectively cutting said feed operating member and said cutting mechanism.

10. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, cutting mechanism carried thereby,;feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on a vertical axis and in horizontal planes substantially above the plane of said cutting mechanisms and a flexible feeding member provid ing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and an angular talreup mem ber pivoted on the advancing side of said frame, said takeup member being disposed at an angle to the horizontal whereby its opposite ends may be cut by horizontal planes respectively cutting said feed operating member and said cutting mechanism, said takeup member extending to points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame.

11. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, cutting mechanism carried thereby, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on a vertical axis and in horizontal planes substantially above the plane of said cutting mechanism and a flexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, an angular takeup member pivoted on the advancing side of said frame, said takeup member being disposed at an angle to the horizontal whereby its opposite ends may be cut by horizontal planes respectively cutting said feed operating member and said cutting mechanism, and said takeup member also extending to points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and means for holding saidtakeup member in different positions of adjustment.

12. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting,

cutting mechanism carried thereby, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on a verticalv axis and in horizontal planes substantially above'the plane of said cutting mechanism and a flexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, an angular takeup member pivoted on the advancing side of said frame, said takeup member being disposed at an angle to the horizontal whereby its opposite ends may be cut by horizontal planes respectively cutting said feed operating member and said cutting mechanism, and said takeup member also extending to points adjacent the opposite ends of said frame, and means for holding said takeup member in different positions of adjustmentincluding holding means connected between the rear arm of said takeup member and said frame.

13. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable upon a mine bottom during cutting, cutting mechanism carried thereby, feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on a vertical axis and in horizontal planes substantially above the plane of said cutting mechanism and aiflexible feeding member providing portions extending in opposite directions from points adjacent the opposite ends of-said frame, an angular takeup member pivoted on the advancing side of said frame, said takeup member being disposed at an angle to the horizontal whereby its oppog site ends may be cut by horizontal planes respectively cutting said feed operating member and said cutting mechanism, and

said takeup member also extending to points feeding portions disposable in oppositegdt.

rections from opposite ends of the machine body, of an adjustable takeup including an adjustable takeupmember carrying a guide, sheave from which the advance portion passes directly towards a rib toward which directions from opposite ends of the .ma.

chine body, of an adjustabletakeup including an adjustable takeup member carrying a guide sheave from which the advance por tion extends directly to a rib toward which.

erally on a mine bottom and also including flexible feeding mechanism having flexible feeding portions disposable laterallyin opposite'directions from-opposite ends ofthe machine body, a feed operating member oplongitudinally of the machine.

21. A mining machine shdable on a mine erative to draw in the advance portion, and

means for angling saidmachineadjustable i directions from opposite ends of the machine body, and angularly disposed takeup means pivoted intermediate its ends at the advancing side of the machine body and engaging one of said portions at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points.

4 19. A mining machine' slidable laterally on a mine bottom comprising flexible feeding mechanism including a continuous flexible feeding member comprising flexible feeding portions disposable laterally in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine body, a and angularly. adjustable takeup means engaging one of said portions exclusively and having provision whereby it may be adjusted about a pivot by one of saidfiexible portions to vary the length of the advance portion of said flexible feeding mechanism without varying similarly 1 thereceding portion thereof; a

20. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising flexible feeding mecha nism including flexible feeding portions disposable laterally in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine body, and take-; up means on said machine ad ustable to vary the effective length of the advance portion of said flGXlblB feeding mechanism without Varying similarly the receding portion, said takeup means having means'for guiding said advance portion movable away from and toward the longitudinal axis of said machine 111 a plane extending generally bottom comprising flexible feeding mechanism including flexible feeding portions disposable laterally in oppositedirections from opposite ends of the machine body, and talreup means on said machine adjustable to vary the effective length of'the advance portion of said flexible feeding mechanism, said takeupmeans including a pivoted takeup member having guides engaging the advance portion of said flexible feeding member at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points.

Hit]

22. A mining machine slidable on amine bottom comprising flexible feeding mechanism including a continuous flexible member disposable in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine body, a feed operating member, and talreup means adjustable to vary the effective length of the advance portion of the flexible feeding memher while permitting movement of said machine relative thereto, said takeup means including a pivoted takeup member having guides engaging said flexible feeding memher at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points and one of said guides forming the portion about Which the advance portion of said. flexible member is directed laterally to a fixed point extraneous to the machine.

A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and comprising a flexible feeding mrn'iber including flexible feeding portions disposable laterally in opposite directions at opposite ends of the machine frame, and a feed operating member cooperating With said flexible feeding member, takeup means including a pivoted element engaging the advance portion of said flexible feeding member at a plurality of points and adapted to be swung When released on rotation of said feed operating member in a direction to move said machine frame forwardly in a direction to diminish the length of the flexible feeding member in advance of said feed operating member and swingable manually on reverse rotation of said feed operating member to take up the slack then inserted in the advance portion of said flexible feeding member.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

